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Family resources for new standards, assessments

Families are key in student preparedness. New standards (Hawaii Common Core) and assessments (Smarter Balanced) are creating shifts in the classroom that involve more dynamic, evidence- and technology-based learning than what classes used to look like a generation ago. We encourage families to dig in to these resources to help students be ready for learning — and demonstrating learning.

JCHS is one of 15 public schools named national finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, which aims to encourage innovation while addressing the technology gap in classrooms across the country. They've won a $35,000 technology grant, and will present their project to a live panel of judges on March 18 in New York City. If named to the Top 5, they'll win a $120,000 grant.

To scale the Department's digital learning pilot statewide, funds are being sought in the 2015-17 fiscal biennium budget and other sources. The Department briefed a joint session of the education committees of the State Legislature on February 20 to review results of the 1-to-1 digital device pilot program.

How is teaching mathematics evolving in Hawaii's public schools? More collaborative learning environments that emphasize habits of mind including perseverance, reasoning, constructing arguments, and more. The author is Eliza Akana Yoshida, who has taught in Valley Isle schools for 12 years. Next year, she will serve as the math/science curriculum coordinator at Pu‘u Kukui Elementary.

The Department uses a digital accounting system — The Teacher-Substitute Employee Automated System (TSEAS) — for schools to report, update and/or cancel teacher absences, which send automatic notifications to registered substitutes to alert them of work opportunities.

Families are key in student preparedness. New standards (Hawaii Common Core) and assessments (Smarter Balanced) are creating shifts in the classroom that involve more dynamic, evidence- and technology-based learning than what classes used to look like a generation ago. We encourage families to dig in to these resources to help students be ready for learning — and demonstrating learning.

The Department has a legitimate interest in and responsibility for the appropriate education of all school age children in the State of Hawaii and recognizes homeschooling as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. Homeschooling is a parent-initiated educational alternative.